Will It Be Safe to Remove my Nasal Splint 4 Days After Rhinoplasty?

Question

i have a rhinoplasty scheduled for next week. my doctor said he will keep the splint on my face for 7 days, but my mom surprised me with a plane ticket out of state scheduled 4 days after my surgery. i prefer not to have my nose bandaged during my visit. so, my question is: would it be ok to remove my nasal splint after 4 days? the only work my my cosmetic surgeon will be doing on my nose is a tip reduction and slight rotation, and just shaving down the bridge. Thanks!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It is best to take your surgeon's advice regarding how long the nose needs to be splinted. i usually leave the splint in place for a full 7 days to keep the swelling down and maintain the proper position of the nasal bones if they are fractured. If the bones will not be fractured, I may shorten the time requirement for wearing a splint, but in your case, you should follow the instructions of your surgeon.

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

It's important to follow your surgeon's post-op schedule precisely. Experienced surgeons know what's required to get a good result and what might compromise that. Why risk the results of rhinoplasty by tripping at the finish line? Most of us sincerely want to get patients back to their normal routine as soon as possible, but you can't rush wound healing. Besides, there are other risks with flying out of state and being unavailable to your surgeon immediately post-op. I'd leave the cast and splints in place, if it were me...and I wouldn't be planning a trip so soon after a rhinoplasty. Consider moving the surgery, if possible, or postpone the trip.

	All the best,

	--DCP

Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS · Answer

For most cases, it is ok to remove the splint after the fourth day. I persnally remove them after the fifth day, but know plenty of excellent surgeons that remove them on the fourth day. I would not worry about it.

James Bartels, MD · Answer

This is definitely an issue to discuss with your surgeon before your planned operation. The best results depend on a partnership between you and your surgeon, including honest communication. Only he knows what will be the proper length of time to have your nose taped and splinted, based on what he finds and does intraoperatively. The short term inconvenience should be worth an excellent long term result. Good luck!

Richard Galitz, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

If no osteotomies ( bone work ) is being done during your rhinoplasty it will probably be OK to remove the splint at 4 days.

Will It Be Safe to Remove my Nasal Splint 4 Days After Rhinoplasty?

Answers (8)